The Young Circus Rider — Horatio Alger Jr.

The Young Circus Rider is the first in Alger's Atlantic Series. In the Preface, he notes that having just completed the Pacific series, the Atlantic Series is set nearer his home. Of course, most of the characters in his books lived in New York City. Robert Rudd was only nine and wandering the country alone when he was offered a job as a circus rider. He accepted, and as the book opens, he is 15, and still riding circus horses. A jealous fellow performer throws a rock as Robert's horse, causing Robert to fall, the accident ending his circus days. Robert and his friend Anak, a Norweigian giant travel the country encountering many dangers and having many adventures until...but I cannot give away the ending, can I?